106. Systems Theory and Organizational Behavior
Concept
The broader concept of systems theory informs our view of organizational design. Many opined on the necessary systems in organizations.36,37 James Thompson’s classic book also informs us.38
In Thompson’s view, organizations have several common systems: boundary spanning in, adaptive, production, managerial, maintenance, and boundary spanning out. In this view, we can think of organizations like living cells with membranes. There are processes that bring things in, get things out, and several internal systems that govern behavior.
The boundary spanning in and out systems are processes by which people or materiel move into and out of the organization. For human resources, these would include ...
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